British director Ken Russell was provocative to say the least.
And this glitzy Hollywood party for fellow British director Nicholas Roeg in 1996 is a testament to that.
A friend said the director died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday (November 27).
Russell began his directing career with the BBC and was known for making controversial and violent films in the 1960s and 70s.
His most famous film was the 1969 adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's novel "Women in Love".
It became famous for a male nude wrestling scene between actor Oliver Reed and Alan Bates, something not seen on the silver screen before.
The picture earned Russell a best director Oscar nomination, and Glenda Jackson the gong for best actress.
In the 1971 religious drama "The Devils", Russell was criticised for the level of violence and sexual content.
Three years later in 1974, he directed what was his most commercially viable movie - The Who's rock opera "Tommy".
In London, Martin Scorcese and actor Ben Kingsley paid tribute to Russell.
SOUNDBITE: Martin Scorcese, Director, saying:
"His use of music, his understanding of music and the way he made it possible for people who may not be exposed to that, and the lives of the composers themselves."
SOUNDBITE: Ben Kingsley, saying:
"He particularly brought the creative genius to the screen. That's a very hard thing to do. You can't film creative genius because it's going on inside."
According to website the Internet Movie Database or IMDB, Russell has 71 titles to his credit as director.
His wife Elize - seen here with a hooded Russell at the 2007 BAFTAs said she was "devasted" and his death was "completely unexpected".
Cindy Martin, Reuters
